Shop Talk

Story Tools

The New Guy

Ten tool tips.

By David Boeshaar Photos: David Boeshaar

I love tools. I really love tools. I give tools as wedding presents. The first gift I ever bought my wife was a set of kitchen knives. I keep tools at home, in my car, and even in my desk at work. At first glance, I'm not the kind of guy you should ask for tool advice. "Do I need this?" you might ask, and without thinking, I'd answer "Yes, of course—you need everything!"

But I have paid the price for my addiction. I've bought the wrong tools. I've bought overpriced tools. I have even bought terminal crimpers I'd be embarrassed to give away.

After sitting down and thinking about it, there are a few reasonable tips I can offer about tools. Maybe I can save you a little pain and a little money. So, here are 10 tips about tools for building an Experimental aircraft:

1. No matter what plane you are building, get a small set of woodworking tools. You'll need a hand or power saw, carpenter's square, and a few wood bits, including countersink bits. You are going to be building things for your project like workbenches, jigs, plan stand, support stands, paint tables, etc.

3. For specialty tools that you only need once or twice, try to find someone to borrow them from. Check out your EAA chapter, local airport hangouts, or folks on Internet discussion groups. If you need to buy them, buy them when you need them, and you can sell them when you are done. For the most part these tools will keep their value.

4. If you are the one lending tools, be sure your name is engraved on the tool and use an index card to get the date, name, and contact information of the person borrowing the tool. Tear up the card when the tool is returned.

5. Safety glasses, goggles and hearing protectors are tools, too. Always buy new and get a few spares for when friends drop by.

6. Be sure you know how to use specialty tools correctly and safely. The most dangerous tool in my toolbox is the fly cutter. I'm still recovering.

7. Do not use the same sanding discs or belts that you use on aluminum as you use with steel. Do not use steel wool on aluminum. Grinding small bits of ferrous metal into aluminum can cause serious corrosion down the line. Discs and belts are cheap. Get two and mark them.

8. With battery-operated tools that are only used occasionally, be sure to remove the batteries when you are done with the tool.

9. Besides a tool chest, a tool cart can be very handy. They can be low cost and can hold the tools you are using right now.

When did this get filled up?

10. Take care of your tools. Keep them clean, protect them from the elements, and oil the tools that require it. When I give a tool set as a wedding present, I tell the newlyweds that lifetime guaranteed tools, like a lifetime guaranteed marriage, still require care and maintenance.

David Boeshaar is a systems analyst for corporate Disney. A former mechanic, teacher, and computer help desk guru at a major university, he is now building a Van's RV-9A for fun with his brother-in-law. As the new guy in aviation, Dave has learned lots, both good and expensive, and hopes to pass along a little help to the builders coming up behind him.

It started with a visit with the Rutan guru Robert Harris of what was the EZ Hangar in Covington TN, now EZ Jets. I wanted to build a Long Eze but Robert suggested using current information and technology instead of 1977 when the plans came out. From then on, this airplane was not a Long …

I had been researching gyroplane technology for the past 20 years and knew that the modern gyroplane was an amazing aircraft. After scoring a ride in a MTO Sport in July of 2015, I knew I had to have one. I was fortunate that a dealer and flight training in Searcy, Arkansas was only an …

Velocity 173 Fixed Gear Elite N653TS has taken just shy of 20 years to morph from several boxes of fiberglass parts to the plane you see here. Back in June 1997 I had just retired from the Army as a career helicopter pilot and wanted something to keep me active in aviation besides the typical …

Dynon Avionics' latest-generation SkyView integrated avionics called the SkyView HDX has a newly designed bezel and user controls for easier use while flying in turbulence, plus brighter displays and a reworked touch interface. Larry Anglisano takes a product tour of the HDX with Dynon's Michael Schoefield in this video.

At Sun 'n Fun 2016, Dynon continued to push into the world of non-certified avionics with its SkyView SE, a less expensive version of its popular SkyView EFIS system. Paul Bertorelli prepared this video report.

The G5 is a self-contained electronic flight instrument, which can be interfaced with Garmin's G3X/Touch avionics and autopilot for backup and flight instrument redundancy. The GMA245 and remote GMA245R Bluetooth audio panels have advanced entertainment input functions and onscreen programming.

At Sun 'n Fun 2016, Just Aircraft is showing off its new Titan-powered SuperSTOL XL. Harrison Smith took Paul Bertorelli for a half-day demo flight in the new airplane, and here's his video report.

Kit manufacturer Zenith Aircraft Company has released a new 360-degree VR short video to showcase its kit aircraft and to promote the rewarding hobby of kit aircraft building and flying light-sport aircraft.

Whether you are upgrading the audio system in an older LSA or experimental or building a new project, PS Engineering and Garmin have non-certified audio panels equipped with advanced features better suited for smaller cabins.